Air cleaning and humidifying device



Feb. 20, 1934. A. CHIZMAR 1,948,097

AIR CLEANING AND HUMIDIFYING DEVICE Filed Dec.-l9, 1932 .fnvshbar 8 Andrew 5271222152" Patented Feb. 20, 1934 1,948,097 AIR CLEANING DEVICE Andrew Chizmar, Hartford, Conn.

Application December 19, 1932 Serial No. 647,390

14 Claims. (Cl. 261-99) This invention relates to an air conditioning device particularly adapted for use with a carburetor for an internal combustion engine, and the general object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device of this class which will eliminate most of the dust and grit from the air and which will at the same time effectively humidify the air.

In accord with the general object as stated, the invention includes a wick so arranged'as to serve as a combined dust collector and humidifier, the wick preferably being movable to bring fresh portions into service; and the invention further includes various advantageous structural features as herein shown and described.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown the embodiment of the invention that I now deem preferable, but it will be understood that the drawing is for illustrative purposes only and is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

0f the drawing:

Fig. l is a rear view of a device embodying the invention, a portion being broken away to show interior parts more clearly.

Fig. 2 is a side view.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.-

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents as an entirety a casing, which may advantageously be generallycylindrical in form, the axis being horizontal. The main body of the casing is shown as being a casting, and it is preferably divided by a vertical wall 2 into an air chamber 3 and a water reservoir 4. The chamber 3 is closed by a plate 5, and the reservoir 4 is closed by a plate 6.

At the bottom of the air chamber and preferably constituting an integral part of the casing, is a water sump 7 closed at the bottom by a plate 8. In normal operation water is prevented from rising above a predetermined level in the sump, as indicated for instance at A in Fig. '1.

At the bottom of the plate there may be a pet cock 8* for draining the sump.

The air chamber 3 is provided with an air receiving opening, and preferably there are two such openings 9, 9 horizontally spaced from each other and located near the opposite sides. Preferably the openings 9, 9 are formed in the plate 5 constituting the rear wall of the chamber 3. Within the chamber are walls, such as 10,10 forming ducts 11, 11 for directing air from the openings 9, 9 diagonally downward in opposite directions toward the water sump 7. Within the chamber there are also walls, 12, 12 forming a vertical duct 13 above the sump for conducting upward the air delivered through the diagonal ducts. Preferably the walls 10', 10 and 12, 12 join each other as shown, forming pockets-14, 14 between them. I

At the top of the air chamber is a discharge I duct 15, and between the ducts 13 and 15, there is preferably provided a transverse baflle 16. u The bailie 16 preferably has downward inclined edge portions and as shown the entire baflle is curved.

Located at the sump 'I is a wick 17, which may be a block of felt or other absorptive material. The felt 17 is so locatedthat one portion of it is below the water level andanother portion is exposed above the water level. By reason of capillary action the exposed portion of the wick is continually moist. 7

The wick 17 is preferably movable so that different portions thereof may be brought into exposed position above the water level. As shown the wick 1'? is a cylindrical body of felt or similar material, and this cylindrical body is mounted on 39 a horizontal rotatable stud 18. The wick is connected with the stud by means of a pin 19. The stud extends through a hole in the cover plate 5 and is provided at the end with a knob 20. A stufling box 21 prevents leakage of water and also provides friction to prevent accidental turning of the stud and wick.

The water reservoir 4 is normally closed at the top, but it is provided with a filling opening closed by suitable means such as a threaded plug 22. Two intersecting holes 23 and 24 in the lower part of the casting constitute a supply duct lead ing from the reservoir 4 to the sump 7. The hole 23 is enlarged to receive a needle valve 25 controlled by a knob 26. By means of this valve 95 the flow of water through the holes maybe regularly or entirely out on.

In order to avoid flooding of the sump '7 there is provided an air pipe 27 which communicates with the upper portion of the reservoir 4 and me which terminates at its lower end in the sump at the desired water level. The pipe 27 is preferably located in a groove in the division wall 2.

If the air cleaning and humidifying device is to be used in an automobile, it is preferably mounted with the air chamber toward the rear, that is, with the air receiving openings facing toward the rear. This prevents the larger and coarser particles of dust and grit from entering the openings. The air discharge duct is connecttaken notto put in enough to permit flow through ed with the carbiireter by means of a suitable pipe or otherwise.

In preparing the device for use the reservoir 4 is substantially filled with water, care being the pipe 27. After filling, the 'plug 22 is replaced. The valve 25 is suitably adjusted and water slowly flows into the sump 7. As the level of water in the sump is lowered air enters-through the pipe 27; but when the water reaches the required level in the sump it seals the lower end of the pipe 27 and prevents additionalair from entering the reservoir. The resultant partial vacuum in the reservoir prevents furtherflow through the holes 23 and 24. If the level of water in the sump is lowered so as to uncover the lower end of the pipe 27, air enters and flow is resumed. Thus the level of water in the sump may be kept substantially constant.

As already stated the wick 17 is kept continually moist by reason of the partial submersion in the water in the sump. The air entering the openings 9, 9 and passing through the ducts 11, 11 is brought into direct contact with the top surface of the moist wick, and its directions of motion are then abruptly changed as it moves upward through the duct 13. Thus the air is directed first against and then outwardly away from the outer surface of the exposed portion of the wick. By reason of this abrupt change of direction of air fiow the dust and dirt in the air impinge against the wick and adhere thereto by reason of the moisture. At the same time the moisture of the wick is being continuously vaporized and picked up by the air, thus efl'ecting humidifying. As the moisture in the exposed portion of the wick is vaporized, it is replaced by water drawn upward by capillary action from the body of water in the sump. By the .action described the air is simultaneously cleaned and humidified.

It is important that the humidifying action of the device be subject to control in order that excessive humidity be avoided. When there is a high degree of humidity in the atmosphere it may be desirable to entirely eliminate the humidifying action of the device by adjusting the needle valve 25 to entirely shut oh the water supply. By regulating the valve 25 any desired degree of humidiiylng action may be obtained up to the maximum which occurs when the sump is filled to the level A indicated in Fig. 1. An extent of humidifying action less than the maximum may be obtained by so-regulating the valve 25 that the water level is maintained somewhat below the level A.

By means of the knob 20 the position of the wick 17 can be changed from time to time. The wick can be turned so that the exposed portion above the water level can be brought to an in-= verted position below the water level, a fresh portion being brought into exposed position above -the water level. The previously exposed portion of the wick with a layer of dust and dirt thereon is now in inverted position in the water, and the action of the water combined with gravity and assisted by vibration causes the dust and dirt to drop away from the wick leaving it substantially clean and ready to be used again. The dirt is thus deposited at the bottom of the sump. The sump can be cleaned from time to time by removing the bottom plate 8.

The cleaned and humidified air moves upward through the duct 13 and engages the baflle 16 which deflects it laterally and downwa d.

The air moves around the lower edges of the battle 16 and then moves upward and is discharged through the duct 15. If any particles of dust or dirt were not caught by the wick 17 they will be deposited in the pockets 14, 14 at the sides of the walls 12 andbelow the edges of the baffle 16. The labyrinthic pathway of the air around the baflle 16 serves notonly to assist in the removal of additional dust and dirtbut also serves t-: assist in preventingthe transmission of noise from the motor or from the carburetor. It will be understood that this same labyrinthic pat-- way serves to prevent harmful results from any backfire that might occur.

I have referred to the use of water in this device but under some circumstances it may be preferable to use a mixture of water and alcohol. It is well known that the alcohol vapor assists in preventing the formation of carbon deposits in the motor cylinders. The alcohol will also prevent the water from freezing.

What I claim is:

1. In an air cleaning and humidifying device, the combination of a water sump, a wick at the 100 sump partly below and partly above the water level, and means for directing the air first against and then outwardly away from the outer surface of the exposed portion of the wick.

3. In an air cleaning and humidifying device, the combination of -a water sump, a cylindrical wick at the sump rotatable about a horizontal axis and having one portion below the water level and another portion exposed above the water level, externally accessible means for turning the wick about its axis to bring different portions thereof into exposed position above the water level, and means for directing the air first against and then outwardly away from the outer surface 25 of the exposed portion of the wick.

4. An air cleaning and humidifying device comprising in combination, a water sump, a wick at the sump having one portion below the water level and another portion exposed above the water. level, and means at opposite sides of the sump for directing air in substantially opposite directions against the exposed portion of the wick.

5. An air cleaning and humidifying device comprising in combination, a water sump, a cylindrical wick at the sump rotatable about a horizontal axis and having one portion below the water level and another portion exposed above the water level. means at opposite sides of the sump for directing air in substantially opposite dire ctions against up the exposed portion of the wick, and a duct above the wick for conducting the air upward away from the wick.

a. An air cleaning and humidifying device comprising in combination, a water sump, a wick at the sump having one portion below the water level and another portion exposed above the water level, means for directing the air against the exposed portion of the wick, a duct above the wick for conducting the air upward away from the wick, a transverse baffle positioned above the upper end of the duct and having downward inclined edge portions, and dust receiving pockets below the said edge portions of the baflie.

7. An air cleaning and humidifying device comprising in combination, an approximately cylindrical casing positioned with its axis horizontal and having a water sump at the bottom thereof and an air discharge duct at the top thereof, the said casing having two horizontally spaced air receiving openings in one end wall thereof, walls within the casing forming ducts leading downward from the respective air receiving openings to the water sump and also forming a duct leading upward from the sump, and a bafiie in the casing between the last said duct and the discharge duct at the top of thecasing.

8. An air cleaning and humidifying device comprising in combination, a casing having a water sumpat the bottom thereof and an air discharge duct at the top thereof, the said'casing having two horizontally spaced air receiving openings in the rear wall thereof, a wick at the sump having one portion below the water level and another portion exposed above the water level, and walls within the casing forming ducts leading downward from the respective air receiving openings to the water sump and also forming a duct leading upward from the sump, the air being caused by the said walls to contact with and be deflected from the exposed portion of the wick at the sump.

9. An air cleaning and humidifying device comprising in combination, an approximately cylindrical casing positioned with its axis horizontal and having a water sump at the bottom thereof and an air discharge duct at the top thereof, the said casing having two horizontally spaced air receiving openings, a wick'at the sump having one portion below the water level and another portion exposed above the water level, and walls within the casing forming ducts leading downward from the respective air receiving openings to the water sump and also forming a duct leading upward from the sump, the air being caused by the said walls to contact with and be deflected from the exposed portion of the wick at the sump.

l0. An air cleaning and humidifying device comprising in combination, a casing having a water sump at the bottom thereof and an air discharge duct at the top thereof, the said casing having two horizontally spaced air receiving openings in the rear wall thereof, a wick at the sump partly below and partly above the water level and movable to bring different portions alternately into exposed and submerged positions with respect to the water level, and walls within the easing forming ducts leading downward from. the respective air receiving openings to the water sump and also forming a duct leading upward from the sump, the air being caused by the said walls to contact with and be deflected from the exposed portion of the wick at the sump.

11. The combination in an air cleaning and humidifying device, of a water sump, automatic means for supplying water to the sump and preventing it from rising above a predetermined level therein, a wick at the sump having one portion below the water level and another portion exposed above the water level, and means for directing the air first against and then outwardly away from the outer surface of the exposed portion of the wick.

12. The combination in an' air cleaning and humidifying device, of a water sump, a water reservoir adjacent thesump and at a higher elevation, a supply duct'leading from the reservoir to the sump, means dependent upon the water level in the sump for limiting the flow of water through the duct, a wick at the sump having one portion below the water level and another portion exposed above the water level, and means for directing the air first against and then outwardly away from the outer surface of the exposed portion of the wick.

13. The combination in an air cleaning and humidifying device, of a water sump, a water reservoir adjacent the sump and at a higher elevation, a supply duct leading from the reservoir to the sump, means dependent upon the water level in the sump for limiting the flow of water through the duct, a wick at the sump partly below and partly above the water level and movable to bring different portions alternately into exposed and submerged positions with respect to the water level, and means for directing the air first against and then outwardly away from the outer surface of the exposed portion of the wick.

14. An air cleaning and humidifying device comprising in combination, an approximately cylindrical casing positioned with its axis horizontal and having a'wall perpendicular to the axis and dividing it into an air chamber and a closed water reservoir, the air chamber having a. water sump at the bottom thereof and an air discharge duct at the top thereof and also two horizontally spaced air receiving openings in the outer end wall thereof, walls within the air chamber forming ducts leading downward from the respective air receiving openings to the water sump and also forming a duct leading upward from the sump, a water supply duct leading from the reservoir to the sump, adjustable means associated with the said water supply duct for regulating the rate of flow of water therethrough and means dependent upon the-water level inthe sump for Y limiting the flow of water through the duct. ANDREW CHIZMAR. 

